Improvement in machines for breasting the heels of boots and shoes



w. c. BUTLER.

Machines for Breasting t he Heels of Boots and Shoes.

N0, 1115, 625 Patented Dec.16,1873

minimum nu WITNESSES= U lNVENTOR-U UNITED- STATES FATEN'I QFFICE.

WILLIAM C.- BUTLER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR 'BREASTING THE HEELS OF BOOTS AND SHOES Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 145,625, dated December 16, 1873 application filed August 26, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. BUTLER, of the city of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain Improvements in Machines for Breasting the Heels of Boots,

and, Shoes, of which the following is a specification; and I do hereby declare that in the same is contained a full, clear, and exact description of my said invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention relates to certain means whereby the inner side of the heel of a boot or shoe is breasted or shaped, and the knife efieeting this result given a limited stroke, in order that it may have such a movement as to admit of the desired. depth of out only, and be prevented from injuring the shank of the boot or shoe by cutting thereinto.

Figure 1 is a plan of my improved breastingmachine. Fig.2 is a side elevation of the same, partly in section. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 4 is a detached portion of the machine shown upon an enlarged scale.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts of the invention in all the views.

A is the upright portion of the frame of the machine, and B the base-plate of the same. 0 is a cross-head sliding upon a guide, a, forming a part of the frame. D is a knife, having an edge either curved or straight, fastened to the cross-head G, and projecting a suitable distance below the same. E is a movable stop, the lower edge of which, when the stop is raised and secured by the spring-latch I), is evenwith the lower edge of the knife D. The stop is designed to prevent the shoe operated upon from sustaining any injury which might be caused by the knife D descending too far. This is prevented by the-projecting stop a on the stop coming in contact with the lower edge of the cross-head. F is a spring-clamp, into which the heel of the shoe is inserted before being operated upon. The clamp may be moved longitudinally of the machine to suit the different sizes of the shoes, and secured, when in the required position, by means of the setscrew 0. G is the last, temporarily secured to the last-block H, which, in turn, is fastened to the sliding rest K. The last=block has a pivotal movement, limited to an angle of ninety degrees, upon the pin f, moving in the slot g.

My improved breasting-machine is designed to accompany and be used in connection with one of the heeling-machines known to manufacturers, and should be placed contiguous to such machine.

In the following description of the operation of myimproved machine, a description will also be given of other parts thereof yet undescribed.

The shoe, after having been heeled, is placed upon the last G, which is turned in the direction indicated by the dotted delineation thereof in Fig. 1, it being necessary to turn the last at a right angle with reference to the sliding rest K, otherwise the pressure exerted upon the last in adjusting the shoe would force it prematurely to the knife. In some cases the last used upon the heeling-machine may be transferred to the breasting -machine. The shoe having been adjusted to the last, it, with the last and block, is turned parallelly of the sliding rest and moved longitudinally of the machine, into such position that the heel of the shoe m. y be clamped within the spring-clamp F. The self-adjusting stop E is first allowed to fall upon the sole of the shoe by detaching the springlatch 1). Power is then applied to the rods k, attached to projecting lugs on the cross-head G, the application of the-power be- I ing, of course, in a direction vertically of the cross-head. The means for applying the power constitute no part of my invention, and are not herein shown, but may be adapted to steam or hand power. The cross-head and knife are thus caused to descend, the knife cutting the heel of the shoe to the desired shape. As soon as the knife has descended to the base of the heel, the projection c on the stop is brought into contact with the lower edge of the cross-head, preventing a further descent of the knife. At the same time the spring-latch I) engages the upper cross part of the stop E, and upon the ascent of the cross-head the stop is elevated with it. This elevation of the cross-head and other parts is caused by the action of the spiral spring m, situated within the frame A, and bearing, under the lug it, upon the cross-head.

The strength of this spring should be sufficient to overcome the weight of the cross-head, knife,

stop, and the devices used in depressing the same.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and Wish to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. The sliding cross-head C and knife D, and

' the self-adj usting stop E, as relatively arranged,

the stop being adapted to control the movement of the knife, and to be raised at the termination of the stroke of the knife with the said knife, substantially as herein set forth.

2. In combination with the cross-head O and self-adjusting stop E, the spring-latch b, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, in the city of Baltimore, this 18th day of August, A. D. 1873.

WILLIAM G. BUTLER.

Witnesses Tnos. S. WILKINSON, JAMES QUINN. 

